Shrek Academy.
The disheveled Elder Xuan was sitting on the steps, taking swig after swig of alcohol. Judging by the scattered bottles and jars around him, he had clearly drunk a lot.
At that moment, Yan Shaozhe, the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, walked in from outside the courtyard. Upon seeing the scene before him, he could only sigh.
Compared to his state before venturing into the Star Dou Forest, Elder Xuan now looked as if he had aged by a dozen years. There was no trace left of the once powerful and confident Gluttonous Douluo.
Was this really the same Shrek prodigy, once brimming with talent, who had possessed the divine beast martial soul?
"Elder Xuan."
Elder Xuan's body trembled. He glanced up at the man before quickly withdrawing his gaze, continuing to drink on his own.
"What is it?"
"The Sea God Pavilion meeting is ready. We need you to attend."
"..."
Hearing these words, Elder Xuan's hand, clutching the bottle, froze in midair. The sounds in the courtyard seemed to disappear in an instant. After a long pause, he sighed deeply.
"It's time, huh? Fine... let's go."
He shakily stood up, his figure unsteady as he headed for the courtyard exit. Seeing him like this, Yan Shaozhe hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Elder Xuan, it's been a year since it happened. You don't need to blame yourself so much. No one could have predicted that they'd encounter a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in the mixed zone. And besides, Shrek Academy still needs you."
Although his teacher, Mu En, was still alive, his health had deteriorated. How much longer could the Dragon God Douluo protect Shrek?
People rarely mentioned the incident, but everyone was keenly aware that once Elder Mu passed away, Shrek would only have Elder Xuan's strength to rely on. If he continued to sink into this state, the academy might truly fall into decline.
Elder Xuan, however, acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, silently walking forward.
Soon, the two arrived at the Sea God Pavilion. Upon seeing the scene inside, Elder Xuan's entire body trembled, his face filled with guilt.
Aside from the Pavilion Elders and the deans of both academies, the few inner court students who had survived the Star Dou Forest incident were also present.
Except for Zhang Lexuan, who was seated at the far end beside Vice Dean Cai Meier of the Martial Soul Department, the other inner court students stood respectfully, heads lowered, beside the long table.
Once Elder Xuan and Yan Shaozhe took their seats, the Sea God Pavilion meeting officially began.
"I believe everyone knows why we're here today, so let's get straight to it," said Mu En, his voice emerging slowly from the shadows at the head of the long table where he lay on a reclining chair.
"Xuanzi, when you returned from the Star Dou Forest a year ago, you wanted to resign. I gave you a year to think it over. Now, the time has come. What is your decision?"
Hearing Mu En's straightforward words, Elder Xuan instinctively glanced at the inner court students. His eyes filled with pain as he stood up, his voice full of sorrow.
"Elder Mu, please don't try to dissuade me. I've made up my mind. Six students lost their lives—this is something that weighs heavily on me. Since the founding of Shrek Academy, such a disastrous event has never occurred. I bear full responsibility."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Elders present immediately became anxious, especially Yan Shaozhe, who quickly spoke up in protest.
"Elder Xuan! We've discussed this in previous meetings. No one could have foreseen such an event. Your capabilities are beyond question, and no one is blaming you for this!"
As he spoke, he signaled to the inner court students standing nearby. Four of them immediately dropped to their knees with a thud, tearfully pleading.
"Elder Xuan, what happened was beyond anyone's control. None of us have ever held you accountable. Please, don't blame yourself. We won the last Soul Master Tournament thanks to your guidance!"
"You all..."
Hearing the heartfelt words of the four students, Elder Xuan's lips trembled, tears streaming down his face. Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe quickly seized the opportunity to add:
"Elder Xuan, you can't break these children's hearts! We've already provided compensation to the families of the six fallen students. There's no need for you to feel guilty anymore. Life moves on, and you have to think about Shrek's future!"
"Exactly!" chimed in one of the inner court students, lifting their head to look earnestly at Elder Xuan. "Elder Xuan, if you don't agree to stay, we won't get up."
"You... you all..."
Elder Xuan wiped his tear-streaked face with his dirty sleeve, his voice choked with emotion.
"Fine, get up. I'll stay, though I have no right to remain here. But if Shrek still needs me, I will stay and do what little I can."
Hearing this, the Elders, deans, and even the four inner court students beamed with excitement, celebrating the return of the 98th-ranked Gluttonous Douluo. Throughout this display, Zhang Lexuan, who remained seated, watched with a trace of bewilderment in her eyes.
Was it over? Just like that?
It seemed as though no one had suffered any real loss—except, of course, for the six deceased inner court students, who everyone had conveniently chosen to forget.
Despite having committed a gross dereliction of duty, resulting in the tragic deaths of several students who had won championships for Shrek, Elder Xuan had faced no punishment. Instead, he had merely picked up a new hobby—drinking.
And perhaps a touch of guilt.
It was absurd and laughable.
Had he truly learned anything from this incident? Would the same mistake happen again? Perhaps.
For some reason, Zhang Lexuan suddenly recalled the cold, hard gaze Huo Yuhao had given her a year ago before he left, and his icy words echoed in her ears once more.
"If you really feel as guilty as you say, then resign. At least then you won't harm anyone else."
His words had been so certain, as if he had already seen the future.
Did he know something?
Should she ask him the next time they met?
As she watched the matter conclude, Zhang Lexuan felt a lump in her throat.
There was no sense of relief. Instead, a strange and sudden anger rose up within her.
After the meeting ended, Zhang Lexuan numbly returned to her dormitory, barely acknowledging the greetings from other inner court students she passed, merely nodding in response rather than offering her usual smile.
After a quick shower, she lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her mind replaying the scene in the meeting room, thoughts drifting back to Huo Yuhao, who had saved her life in the Star Dou Forest.
"Heaven Dou City... I should look for missions there."
As she pondered using a mission as an excuse to visit Huo Yuhao in Heaven Dou City, Zhang Lexuan slowly closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.
(End of Chapter)